Home is Where the Friends Are
As I prepare to graduate from UNC, I reflect on how my friendships have shaped my college journey in my blog. From navigating roommate life to forging meaningful connections, each experience has taught me the value of support and authenticity; here's to the best roommates and college experience.
One day, you're sitting on the couch in your first apartment, a place you and your friends—now roommates—are finally calling home. You're on the cusp of your sophomore year, and the air is filled with anticipation as you talk about classes, weekend plans, and new routines. You've just decorated your room, piecing it together thoughtfully instead of tossing items around as you did in your crowded freshman dorm. Something about it all feels real. Grown-up.
But in an instant, you're pulled back to the first time you were making decisions on your own: preschool. Without your mom by your side, you stood in a room full of kids, uncertain where to sit or who to talk to, wondering who might become your first friend. At that age, friendship was simple, even superficial. You spent just a few hours together each week, discussing favorite toys, the shows you watched, or what you had for lunch. Friendships were as easy as proximity.
As we grow, relationships deepen, and our worlds broaden. Friends become more integral to our daily lives, sharing our classes, weekends, and even our innermost thoughts. Navigating friendships in college, however, is unlike anything before. It’s an era of transformation. School isn’t just school; it’s your life—and the lives of everyone around you. You find yourself faced with new challenges and are surrounded by thousands of new people. Most importantly, you gain friendships that feel like family.
Oddly enough, amid this new life, you find pieces of that little girl from preschool. The one sitting down on the first day, wide-eyed, holding her heart in her hands. Now, you’re learning to trust, confide, and rely on others in ways that remind you of simpler days. But these conversations—about classes, heartbreaks, ambitions, and disappointments—are infinitely deeper than your four-year-old self could have imagined.
And now, here you are, sharing this new life with them—each one bringing something unique into your day-to-day.
There's Taylor, my roommate since day one at UNC. Though we didn’t know each other before college, it feels like we've been friends forever. Taylor is the kind of person who exudes kindness and wisdom beyond her years, with a heart as genuine as it is generous. She’s effortlessly talkative, authentic, and quietly one of the smartest people I know—though she’d never admit it. Taylor is a friend who always puts others first, listens without hesitation, and makes even the toughest days feel brighter. She’s shown me what it means to have someone you can truly rely on, someone who knows you in ways few others do. We began this journey as strangers, barely knowing a thing about each other, and now, as graduation approaches, I can’t imagine my college experience without her.
Then there's Madison, the roommate I've known the longest and a friend I’m grateful to have discovered more fully in college. Growing up just 20 minutes apart, our paths crossed a few times, but it wasn't until we became suitemates during freshman year that our friendship truly took root. From day one, I knew we had found something special. Madison is witty, driven, and fiercely loyal. She’s one of the hardest-working people I know, constantly pushing herself to reach new heights. Beneath her strong exterior lies a vulnerability she shares openly, reminding me of the power of authenticity. We've shared countless laughs over the silliest things, effortlessly strengthening our bond, and late-night study sessions have evolved into deep talks about everything from our ambitions to life’s biggest mysteries. Madison is a grounding force in my life, always encouraging me to step outside my comfort zone and pursue my passions. Watching her journey toward becoming an occupational therapist has been inspiring; her dedication to improving others' lives is a testament to her heart and determination.
Finally, there's Hillary—the unexpected gem who entered our lives through the most unlikely channel: a Facebook message. After months of searching for someone to fill that last room in our apartment, her message was a breath of relief. What started as a practical solution quickly blossomed into a friendship we now cherish deeply.
Hillary’s warmth and infectious laughter made it feel like she’d always belonged from the moment she moved in. She strikes this effortless balance: outgoing and bright in every room she enters, yet quietly attentive and supportive in moments that matter most. Her positive energy fills the apartment, and with every small gesture, and every thoughtful check-in, she makes each of us feel seen, loved, and appreciated. With Hillary, our apartment became more than just a shared space—it became a place where everyone was truly at home.
Living together has woven our lives together in ways that are hard to describe. As roommates, we’ve shared more than just a space; we’ve shared our day-to-day routines, late-night worries, small victories, and even unspoken moments that only happen when you spend so much time with someone. There’s a comfort in knowing someone so deeply that silence isn’t awkward—it’s peaceful. We've had our share of disagreements over dishes, laughed until we cried over the silliest things, and learned to respect each other’s quirks and boundaries. Being roommates has made our friendship stronger and more genuine, letting us see and love each other for exactly who we are, in all our chaos and calm. It’s a rare closeness that has defined my college experience and will always mean home to me.
These friendships, unique yet woven together by shared moments and mutual support, have shown me a new dimension of being a friend, an adult, and a woman. Taylor’s kindness, Madison’s authenticity, and Hillary’s warmth have each taught me to embrace my strengths and vulnerabilities. In them, I see different reflections of the friend and person I hope to become—compassionate, genuine, and steadfast.
When I think back to that little girl stepping into preschool, wide-eyed and eager, it’s clear how much has changed. Yet, the desire for connection, understanding, and a place to belong remains the same. These friendships have been pivotal to that journey, showing me how to grow into myself while learning from the incredible women around me.
Friendship evolves as you do. Interests change, passions deepen, and suddenly, the friends who once felt like home are thousands of miles away. One day, you're sitting on this couch, gearing up for sophomore year, and in what feels like an instant, you’re sitting on the same couch, clicking “confirm” on your graduation application. You’re not 19 anymore—you’re 21, looking for jobs, scouting apartments in new cities, preparing to make new connections.
Yet, no matter where life takes me, I know I’ll always come back to this feeling—right here, on this couch, in this town, with these friends. Nights that stretched till dawn, laughter that felt like the best medicine. As I grow into adulthood, into new friendships and the ever-evolving journey of womanhood, these memories will be my anchor—a reminder of the laughter, love, and lessons that have shaped who I am and who I’m becoming; I wouldn’t want to have it any other way.
